Vim - Step through search and replace results

Question

Is it possible to step through the results of a search and replace to ensure that no unwanted modifications were made to your code in a boldly-executed, entire-file search and replace?

Vim throws up the status message:

"*X* substitutions on *Y* lines"

and I'm curious if there's a key or command to step through each of those substitutions and do a quick check to make sure you haven't shot yourself in the foot with an unexpected string match. I am new to Vim.

emsworth · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-19 16:50:15Z

14

From http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Search_and_replace,

:%s/foo/bar/gc
    Change each 'foo' to 'bar', but ask for confirmation first.

answered Mar 19, 2014 at 16:50

emsworth

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SheffDoinWork Over a year ago

Aha! It was terribly obvious! I must have skimmed right over this in my brief search for an answer; I was definitely on that wiki page. Thanks a bunch :)

romainl · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-19 18:37:40Z

1

This is how you should have found that info yourself, without Google, the Vim wiki or SO:

Look for help on the :substitute command:
```
:help :s
```

Read the paragraph and notice the part where it talks about optional [flags]:

:[range]s[ubstitute]/{pattern}/{string}/[flags] [count]
    [...
    skipped lines
    ...]
    See |:s_flags| for [flags].

Hit <C-]> on the highlighted :s_flags.
Hooooo…

answered Mar 19, 2014 at 18:37

romainl

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